Um, why do I feel like rubbing orange slices all over myself? Oh, yeah — I remember. NYX Eye & Lip Makeup Remover ($8), one of the best smelling makeup removers I’ve EVER sniffed.
Fo’ reals! This dual-phase liquid (an oil and water emulsion; it turns a pale blue when shaken) smells fresh and sweet like a yummy (blue?) orange, and it digests le war paint almost as well as the much more expensive Lancome Bi-Facil, also a dual-phase formula.
They say the nose knows. Well, mine stopped paying attention as soon as it caught a whiff of this fragrant potion of orange and papaya extracts. As a matter of fact, I like the smell so much that I’m willing to overlook its few shortcomings, one of which has to do with mascara. It’s not that good at removing it as Bi-Facil (or any number of other eye makeup removers), but nothing’s perfect, right? Except perhaps the way NYX Eye & Lip Makeup Remover smells, LOL! 🙂
RANDOM SIDE NOTE: Wouldn’t it be freaky if our eyes could process scent?
Even though Bi-Facil whisks away mascara and waterproof products better than NYX’s remover, the later still manages to spirit away most of the non-waterproof lip and eye makeup I’ve thrown its way, doing so without irritating my sensitive eyes or clouding up my vision (I’m talking to YOU, Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover!).
I noticed an oily film on my skin after using it the first time, but it rinses off with water (and dissipates in a few minutes even if you don’t want to rinse).
Now, when it comes to fragrant products, one gal’s rose water is another gal’s stinky feet, so it pays to let your nose be your guide. If you do decide to give this a sniff, I hope you like the scent as much as I do.
PRICE: $8
AVAILABILITY: At select drugstores and nyxcosmetics.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
If at first you don’t succeed…
When I first got into freelance writing a zillion years ago I pitched Ladies’ Home Journal dozens of times, never once getting a go-ahead on an article. It was pre-blog, and I was working as an assistant to a literary agent at the time, trying to change careers by freelance writing at night and on weekends.
LHJ was one of the magazines I was dying to get a byline in, but no matter how hard I tried, no matter how many query letters I sent them with self-addressed stamped envelopes, nothing. They just wouldn’t bite (I still have the fat stack of photocopied “Thanks, but no thanks” form rejection letters too).
Over time, I started to focus more on blogging and just sort of gave up on ever getting a byline in LHJ.
Well, things have a funny way of working out. 🙂
WARNING: Self-congratulatory outburst coming.
It’s their online edition and not the print magazine, but finally, after all these years, it was beachy waves that did it… Beachy friggin’ waves!!!
I think I’ll treat myself to a congratulatory spoonful of Nutella tonight. And not one of those dinky teaspoons. I’m going with the tablespoon, yo.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
S says
That’s so exciting; congrats on the LHJ feature, Karen!
Karen says
Thanks, S! I’m pretty stoked about it.
Anywho, what’s shaking tonight? Doing anything fun?
AmyVA says
Hell – this earns you the right to use a shovel for that Nutella! This is such fantastic news!! Congratulations, Karen – You definitely deserve this payoff for being an awesome writer! I am really, really happy for you (and Tabs, of course, because we all know that behind every successful writer is a highly talented feline agent.)
Karen says
Hi AmyVA,
LOL, it’s true! Cats are the ultimate driving force/inspiration.
P.S. Tabs, part-time astrologer that he is, wanted me to let you know that he thinks Tauruses ROCK!
AmyVA says
Ha! Ha! Thanks! And I am so impressed he remembered my sign! And please tell him that I think wise, slightly hefty, turkey-chasing tabbies ALSO rock! 🙂
Karen says
Will do. 😀 Haha re: slightly hefty. I tell people he’s “big-boned” and “husky,” but even I have to admit that the thud he makes when he jumps off his cat tower seems to be getting louder and louder! Maybe he needs a kitten to help him work on his fitness?
Anywho, THANK GOODNESS we are almost half way done with the week! I am already ready for the weekend.
Alison says
Congrats!
Karen says
Thanks, Alison.
BTW, I saw in the other NYX post that you were excited about the Haute Model palette. I should have swatches up in the next day or so! 🙂
Amber says
Congratulations! I raise my dessert spoon to you!
Karen says
Hi Amber,
I toast you right back with a heaping mound of Nutella! 😀
Appu says
Congrats, Karen! You are awesome and totally deserve this 🙂
Karen says
Thanks, Appu!
leo says
Hi Karen! and congrats from a fellow freelance journalist! 🙂
such a pity we don’t have NYX in Italy…
But we have something else – not beauty-related, but beautiful: do you remember the Duomo? Look what they have done for X-mas (and for all weekends and holidays to come): stained-glass windows lit from within. Awesome!!
http://milano.repubblica.it/cronaca/2010/12/08/foto/duomo_la_magia_delle_vetrate_illuminate-9982776/1/
And PLEASE, don’t post any more macaroons! I’m on a diet (doctor, I hate you…) and can’t even LOOK at them! slurrrrp!! 😛
Karen says
Hi Leo! 🙂
Of course I remember the Duomo! The windows look so beautiful in that picture. Yesterday I was looking at pics and reminiscing about the trip… hopefully I’ll be able to go back soon. I would love to meet your kitty (THE MONSTER!) some day.
Re: those macarons, eek! They’re almost gone. El Hub and I have been going to town on them! I don’t even want to think about how many miles I need to run in order to burn them off.
Anywho, what’s new with you? What are you doing for the holidays this year?
rawwrhearts says
I know my post is a little late but congrats, Karen! You definitely deserve it. 🙂 I always come back a few times a day to see if you have a new post up!! lol :p But ‘grats again!
Kim says
Congratulations!!!! I’m so thrilled for you! Clearly those dodos at LHJ had no idea what they were missing; thank goodness for their online readers that they smartened up! 🙂 PS Your hair looks great in the beachy waves “after” shot.
I can’t say that I’m too excited about the NYX remover (except that the smell sounds great). I’m not a fan of the dual-phase stuff. Actually, I just started using Pond’s Cold Cream based on the raves I’ve read here. It’s been working great for taking off mascara and liner, which is really all I use it for. Thanks for all the recs, Ladies! 🙂
Tiffany says
yay, congrats on your article, Karen!
Kerry says
Thanks for the review — I think I’ll check this out! And congrats on the LHJ appearance. You deserve it!
Nina says
yayyyyyy!!! congratulations karen! good things come to those who are good! 😀
vonnie says
yaaaaay!!! glad that you got something ticked off of your bucket list 😀 thats awesome, congrats. and that makeup remover sounds like something i need to try!
Mandy says
Karen–I loved your post on the LHJ website. So fun! Congrats!
Alyssa says
I should try that eye makeup remover. I wear contacts and my eyes are pretty sensitive, and I totally hate burning my retinas each time I need to get my Maybeliine Great Lash out, lol! Also, congrats on the Ladies Home Journal article!
Phyrra says
This was my favorite makeup remover for a long time, but being unable to buy it in a store and having to order online annoyed me, so I eventually switched.
Grace says
Woohoo! Those big magazines are the holy grail for freelance writing. Congratulations!
Leslie says
Congatulations on you LHJ article! What a fantastic acomplshment to cross off your list! Thanks for sharing your story- im very inspired 🙂
The NYX remover is going to the top of my beauty shopping list… Sounds like a good one.